Southport got their FA Cup off to a middling start at Stainton Park as they draw 1-1 with hosts Radcliffe, with both sides creating a number of opportunities throughout the match. Arthur Gnahoua’s second-half strike for the Sandgrounders was cancelled out by Radcliffe’s Rio Clegg from the penalty spot.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair with both teams testing the opposition’s defence. Southport created the first major chance in the 12th minute when Arthur Gnahoua found himself through on goal. However, his extra touch allowed time for former Sandgrounder Mark Halstead to steady himself and make a save and push the ball behind. From the resulting corner, taken by Danny Lloyd, Tom Moore volley a chance high over the bar.

Radcliffe responded quickly with a dangerous free-kick just four minutes later, leading to a scramble in the box that was eventually cleared by Chris Renshaw.

Southport’s Ben Collins had a good opportunity in the 22nd minute after a neat lay-off from Gnahoua, but his shot went high into the stand.

Radcliffe then had a golden chance of their own three minutes later when a powerful shot from Danny Greenfield was parried by Renshaw into the path Matt Sargent, who was unable to make a clean connection, allowing Southport to clear the danger.

As the half wore on, Danny Lloyd and Mo Touray both had shots from distance that curled just wide of the target. Southport came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 41st minute when Jordan Slew rounded the goalkeeper, but his effort was blocked off the line by Dan Gardner.

Radcliffe had the final chance of the half with a free-kick that went into the side netting.The deadlock was finally broken in the 57th minute. Arthur Gnahoua, cutting in from the left wing, curled a fantastic right-footed shot into the bottom right corner, reminiscent of the goal that gave us the lead at Leamington.

After taking the lead Southport attempted to shut up shop and were looking good value to do so, limiting the hosts to shots from outside the box.

However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 78th minute when Radcliffe were awarded a penalty after Lavelle was adjudged to have fouled Michael Afuye. Clegg stepped up to take the spot-kick, sending Renshaw the wrong way to level.

Despite a late push from both teams, including Tom Moore nearly giving us the win deep into injury time, neither side could find a winner, and the match finished all square.

Radcliffe are made to wait until Tuesday night to see if they can secure their place in the Third Qualifying Round of this season’s FA Cup, after a 1-1 stalemate at the Neuven Stadium.

Bernard and Jonno made six changes to the dominant display against Marine last time out, allowing players to get minutes under their belt in cup competition.

With Southport’s poor league form, the visitors came to Greater Manchester with a point to prove and they started the better of the two sides, playing the ball well across the field but were kept at bay by the Boro defence.

20 minutes in, the home side began to grow into the game and started to create clear-cut chances, most notably through Anthony Dudley who was the lone striker amongst Radcliffe’s forward line.

Moments later, two efforts from distance went begging as both Danny Greenfield and Jon Taylor tried their luck but Chris Renshaw was equal to the first attempt and the wide man’s shot rolled inches on the wrong side of the right post.

Southport manufactured their first big chance of the game on the 41-minute mark as the ball was threaded through to Jordan Slew who did well to take on the strike under pressure, his shot beat Radcliffe goalkeeper Mark Halstead, only for Dan Gardner to make a smart block on the line to keep the scoreline level.

After the break, Southport got their noses in front as Arthur Gnahoua collected possession on the edge of the Radcliffe box and cut the ball onto his right foot, creating space to curl his shot beyond the reach of Halstead and into the bottom right corner, giving the visitors the lead on 52 minutes.

Attacking reinforcements entered the fray from the Radcliffe bench shortly after, seeing the duo of Jordan Hulme and Rio Clegg lead the line which gave Radcliffe new life, and the energy required to find the goal they craved after a large spell of attacking momentum.

Clegg’s run down the right flank led to the striker finding a pocket of space to attempt a delivery, but a late challenge by a Southport defender halted any further proceedings, allowing the referee to point to the spot. Clegg rested the responsibility on his shoulders and cooly placed the ball into the right side of the net to restore parity.

Both outfits worked hard to find a winner and it was the away side who had the better opportunities to win it in the dying embers, but Southport couldn’t take their chances and the referee later blew for full-time meaning the tie will take place again at Haig Avenue in midweek action.

Southport will have to do it all again at Haig Avenue on Tuesday night after being held to a 1–1 draw away at Radcliffe in the FA Cup second qualifying round.

Arthur Gnahoua’s well-taken strike early in the second half put the Sandgrounders in front. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box in the 52nd minute, he beat a couple of defenders before rifling low into the bottom right corner.

For much of the afternoon Southport were the better side, creating opportunities but once again struggling to turn them into goals. With Festus Arthur cup-tied, Luke Tabone returned to the starting line-up, and the visitors looked assured at the back until the final quarter of an hour.

The equaliser arrived on 79 minutes from the penalty spot. Substitute Rio Clegg converted after a contentious decision – the second time in a week Southport have been undone by what they felt was a soft award.

Both teams pushed for a late winner, but the game ended level. A neutral would not have guessed Southport’s league position from the balance of play, with the visitors impressing for long spells but left to rue missed chances.

The replay takes place at Haig Avenue on Tuesday evening, with both clubs in Monday’s draw for the third qualifying round.